Marlene Talley Brown

New Iberia A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM Thursday, March 27, 2014 at St. Peter Catholic Church in New Iberia for Frances Marlene Talley Brown, 64, who died Monday, March 24, 2014, at her home after a courageous battle with cancer. Entombment will follow in Holy Family Cemetery. Rev. Ed Degeyter will be the Celebrant. A gathering of family and friends will be Wednesday from 3:30 PM until 9:00 PM at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia. A rosary will be prayed at 7:00 PM Wednesday. Visitation will continue Thursday from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Readers will be Nancy Barras and C.B. Talley, Jr. Gift Bearers include Mariah Segura, Emma Reitzell, Ava Reitzell, Christopher Brown, Jr., and Michelle Reitzell. Marlene was born on December 1, 1949 in Opelousas, and resided in New Iberia. She was a graduate of Mt. Carmel Academy and attended USL, as well as various advertising seminars. Possessing a variety of interests, Marlene worked in many capacities including in KANE radio station, COX Communications, Tommy Landry Physical Therapy, and Dr. Jennifer Waguespack LaBiche. Her interests led to her membership in social organizations including Les Allies, Fortnightly VIII, Los Rainas Pasadas of the Krewe of Iberians, and pokeno/domino groups. Devoted to her community, Marlene was a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club and participated in its many projects. She did volunteer work for the Bayou Teche Museum and was often called upon to serve as judge for speech competitions, and to announce at Catholic High Schools Homecoming festivities. Marlene volunteered to be a contestant in the Dancing with the Stars fundraiser for the school. She contributed to the Iberia Parish Memory Book and was instrumental in establishing the Be a Match Friends of George Gros bone marrow drive. Marlene also served as a lector at St. Peters Catholic Church. Always proud of her association with Mt. Carmel, Marlene valued her friendships with classmates and served as president of the Mt. Carmel School Board and the Mt. Carmel Alumnae Association. Marlene was known for the friendliness and fun she brought with her. She will especially be remembered at Mardi Gras balls. She served as Queen of Krewe of Iberians in 1999. Marlene is survived by her husband, Charles Brown of New Iberia; her son Christopher Brown and wife Gina Ravaglia Brown of Metairie; and three grandchildren, Christopher, Matthew, and Marie Brown. Survivors also include Marlenes siblings, Caren Hardouin of Lafayette, Janice Spindler and husband Tom of Lake Charles, Lynn Dauterive and husband Eugene of New Iberia, Joyce Segura and husband Scott of Scott, Sandy Hebert and fianc Vondo Gonzales of New Iberia, and C. Bounds Talley, Jr. and wife Anissa of Lafayette; and 12 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Caufman Bounds Talley; her mother, Frances Drago Talley; grandmother, Aurelie Oubre Drago; grandfather, Louis Vicent Drago; and her sister-in-law, Clair Fair. Pallbearers will be Eugene Dauterive, Jr., Eugene Dauterive, III, Louis Dauterive, Scott Segura, Tom Spindler, and C. Bounds Talley. Honorary pallbearers include Richard Brown, Donald Brown, Brian Fair, Lindsey Hardouin, Taylor Hardouin, Jake Hebert, Michelle Reitzell, Blake Segura, Eric Spindler, Brian Spindler, Marc Spindler, and Caufman Talley, III. The family request that memorial contributions be directed to the Sisters of Mt. Carmel, P.O. Box 1160, Lacombe, LA 70445, the Catholic High School Endowment Fund, 1301 DeLaSalle Drive, New Iberia, LA 70560, or to Heart of Hospice, 201 W. Vermilion, Lafayette, LA 70501 Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365.3331, is in charge of arrangements.